| OpenStreetMap is a project aimed squarely at creating and providing free geographic data such as street maps to anyone who wants them. The project was started because most maps you think of as free actually have legal or technical restrictions on their use, holding back people from using them in creative, productive or unexpected ways. OSM is sometimes thought of as the Wiki-map of everything. Richard will cover OpenStreetMap in his engaging and enthusiastic style. You'll learn a bit about the history of OSM, but not so much that you fall asleep. Â You'll see the amazing growth of OSM since its founding. And Richard will display some of the amazing uses of OSM that already far outstrip any commercial mapping systems. You should see this presentation if you find maps at all interesting and if you have ever said to yourself, "I've always wanted a map that could ... " He'll cover enough OSM to show you what it is, why you will care, and how you can get started contributing either code or GIS data to OSM. You'll see enough of the basics to take the sting out of the learning curve in a project as far reaching as OSM. Those of you who can't wait to get started can see the map here: http://www.openstreetmap.org/ And the wiki with all of the details: http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/ . |